BJP’s Yogendra Chandolia has unleashed a blistering attack on Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar, branding his latest critique of Hindutva as a blatant maneuver to preserve the party’s dwindling minority vote bank. The exchange underscores deepening rifts in India’s polarized political landscape.
Speaking to reporters, Chandolia painted Aiyar as a relic of Congress’s old guard, clinging to outdated strategies. ‘Aiyar ji thinks by questioning Hindutva, he can win back votes lost to regional parties and independents. This is peak desperation,’ Chandolia remarked.
Aiyar’s recent speech questioned whether Hindutva truly represents Hinduism or if it’s a politicized distortion. He invoked Mahatma Gandhi and other icons to argue for a more inclusive version of the faith, free from what he called ‘majoritarian aggression.’
Chandolia countered by accusing Congress of hypocrisy. ‘Where was this outrage when Congress governments ignored Hindu sentiments for decades? This is selective outrage for electoral gains,’ he said, referencing historical events like the Shah Bano case and the Ayodhya dispute.
The timing of Aiyar’s comments is telling. With state assembly polls on the horizon and national elections not far behind, Congress faces an uphill battle. Recent surveys indicate erosion of its traditional Muslim vote share, prompting leaders like Aiyar to double down on polarizing rhetoric.
BJP strategists view this as a gift. ‘Aiyar’s words validate our narrative that Congress prioritizes vote banks over national unity,’ one senior BJP figure told this correspondent anonymously. Chandolia echoed this, urging voters to reject ‘pseudo-secularism.’
Aiyar’s track record adds fuel to the fire. His 2017 remark calling Modi a ‘chaiwala’ drew widespread condemnation, forcing an apology. Yet, he remains unrepentant, positioning himself as a fearless critic of what he sees as BJP’s communal agenda.
Opposition leaders have offered mixed reactions. Some allies distance themselves, fearing backlash, while others like AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi praised Aiyar for ‘speaking truth to power.’
As debates rage on social media and TV studios, the core question lingers: Is Hindutva a political tool or cultural imperative? Chandolia insists it’s the latter, warning that Congress’s attacks will only strengthen BJP’s resolve.
This skirmish foreshadows larger confrontations. With ideology at the forefront, India’s democracy braces for another round of fierce contestation where words are weapons and votes, the ultimate prize.